KOROR (Palau) - The competition was fierce at Stop 2 of the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League – Oceania, Conference 1. Multiple games went to overtime, Vanuatu achieved a major upset victory, two-point shots were raining down, and the home fans had a lot to celebrate. It was everything one would hope for in a day of 3x3 basketball.
Men's Conference 1: Tight Games Galore
Sitting fourth in Conference 1 after Stop 1, Fiji was eager to build on their day one performance and took care of business against Vanuatu 20-10.
The Marshall Islands took on Papua New Guinea in a day one finals rematch. The game did not disappoint, but it was the Marshall Islands who again stepped up to show the competition that they are a force to be reckoned with, defeating Papua New Guinea 21-16.
Vanuatu stunned Guam to win 20-14, the first time the Melanesian nation has defeated Guam in any regional FIBA competition format.
Palau sprung out of the blocks at Stop 2, but the day one winners from the Marshall Islands would not give up so easily, clawing their way back to send the game to overtime. Despite the Marshall Islands’ efforts, Palau’s Weston Andrews would not let his team throw the game away, hitting the game winning two-pointer in overtime to top of a 9-point performance – much to the delight of the home Palauan crowd.
Fiji held off a determined Guam, with Keenan Hughes sinking two high pressure free throws to finalise the game 17-15.
The final pool game of Stop 2 in Conference 1 was highlight filled. Palau and Papua New Guinea put on a 2-point shooting contest, with Papua New Guinea’s Morea Elavo draining seven 2-point baskets by himself. Palau’s teamwork proved too much for Papua New Guinea, the home nation edging out the game 21-17 with two minutes remaining on the clock.
Men's Final: Delight for the Home Nation
Having met in pool play on day one where Palau won by three points, Fiji was out for finals revenge and came out savage offensively to create a commanding lead early on. Palau, however, fought back hard with the home crowd behind them every step, dribble, and shot.
Fiji took the lead 18-16 with one minute left on the clock. With 40 seconds remaining, Jerry Ngiraremiang hit a two-pointer to tie the game 18-18. Both teams were digging deep in search of a finals win at the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League – Oceania Conference 1. Fan favourite Westin Andrews knocked down a two-point shot shortly after to give Palau a 20-18 lead with only 20 seconds remaining. Fiji hit one from the paint, but it wasn’t enough. Palau wins the Conference 1, Stop 2 Final 20-19.
A major improvement from day one for the home nation sees Palau jump up from fifth to second on the conference standings, with Fiji close behind them in third overall, and Marshall Islands still leading the way in first.
Women's Conference 1: Two Overtime Thrillers
Fiji continued their winning form, holding the host nation scoreless in a 21-0 win over Palau.
Papua New Guinea picked up where they left off on day one, dismissing the Marshall Islands 21-6 with time to spare.
In a gritty contest, after ten minutes of play nothing could separate Palau and Vanuatu, the game sitting at 11-11 at the end of regulation time. The host nation Palau wanted it more in overtime, with an ice-cold two-pointer from Akeelah Ngirakoranges sealing the deal, 13-11.
Guam and the Marshall Islands went basket for basket through ten grueling minutes of regulation time to provide the second overtime match of the day. The Marshall Islands early fouling finally caught up to them though, as free throws for Guam got the job done to take the win 18-16.
Fiji remains undefeated and head into the Stop 2 final with a 19-13 win over an improving Vanuatu.
Papua New Guinea earned themselves a finals rematch with a win over Guam. Guam fought back valiantly from an early 11-5 deficit, but time was not on their side. As the clock ran out, the scoreboard read 14-11.
Women's Final: Fiji Repeat Their Day One Display
Papua New Guinea was back for revenge after losing to Fiji 18-7 on day one. They fought tooth and nail to stay in touch in the rematch, but they could not contain the dominant Fijian force going down 11-8. It was an improvement from day one though, as they narrowed the scoring margin from 11 points to 4 points at Stop 2. No doubt Papua New Guinea will be desperate to earn another rematch at Stop 3.
With very similar results at Stop 2 as the day before, the top three remains Fiji first, Papua New Guinea second and Guam third in the overall conference standings.